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Our energy plans for your business are not one-size-fits-all.

Check out our energy plans for restaurants and learn how to make your business more energy efficient. 

 

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Affordable energy plans for restaurants in Alberta

 

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We're more than just a retail energy company. We strive to ensure our business customers have the tools and resources they need to get the most out of their energy service.

Our large and small business customers value the security of the ultimate buying power and access to the best energy rates on the market. Alberta has never had more choices available in energy options than it has now. Energy plans are not one-size-fits-all in the vast deregulated energy market. This can make trying to compare energy rates in Alberta complicated and overwhelming. But we're here to simplify things.

 

How much energy do restaurants use?

Many business owners experience high monthly utility bills, but according to the ENERGY STAR Guide for Restaurants, food service venues consume energy at more than twice the rate of other commercial businesses like offices and retail stores. Restaurants spend 3-5% of their total operating costs on energy.

The bulk of energy consumption in restaurants can be broken down into two main categories - HVAC and cooking. Though other usages, including refrigeration, also affect energy costs, food preparation and heating or cooling are the biggest consumers of electricity.

The average energy consumption (BTU) in a full-service restaurant is as follows:

  • Food Preparation: Cooking consumes approximately 35% of a restaurant's energy.
  • HVAC: Commercial heating and cooling use up about 28% of energy costs.
  • Sanitation: Sanitation equipment and water usage are responsible for 18% of energy costs.
  • Lighting: Keeping the lights on consumes 13% of a restaurant's energy.
  • Refrigeration: Refrigeration energy costs are approximately 6%.

 

Source: https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/restaurant-energy-consumption-statistics

How can restaurants improve energy efficiency?

Every restaurant, no matter what the size, benefits by taking steps to improve energy efficiency. By making some minor repairs and behavioral changes, your business can begin to conserve energy and boost your bottom line. Here are three easy ways to help lower energy use in your establishment.

Change lighting

In a typical restaurant, lights are usually on for 16 to 20 hours a day. Install occupancy sensors in closets, storage rooms, break rooms, restrooms, and walk-in refrigerators. Swap your electronic signage (i.e., EXIT signs) with LED technology.

Use good kitchen practices

Turn on only the necessary equipment and turn off any appliances not being used. Always close freezer doors, and don't use a bigger pan than you need as they require more energy and time to heat.

Maintain and repair

Repair leaking taps and pipes as soon as possible to avoid hot water loss. Regularly check the thermostat on your appliances, refrigeration, dish machines, and hot water heaters and reset them to the correct operating temperature.

Energy plans for food service businesses are not one-size-fits-all

As market-rate prices rise, now's the perfect time to secure your business energy rates. We offer guaranteed rates for the entire term of your plan. You can lock in your electricity or natural gas rate for up to five years, or bundle and save with our 5-year plan to get the best value for your business.

 

View our business plans

There are other ways to reduce energy costs for your business.

To see what other cost-cutting things your can do, select from one the categories that matches your business stye:

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Why choose Direct Energy for your small business?

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Enjoy peace of mind with fixed natural gas and electricity rates. Your energy rate stays the same for the entire plan.

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There are no exit fees, so you can cancel anytime.

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Have a question about a plan or need help placing an order?

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Hours: 7:00am - 9:00pm MST (Monday to Friday), 8:00am - 4:30pm (Saturday), Closed Sundays

To enroll, you will need:

  • To be the person named on the utility account
  • Your service address
  • Your billing address (if different)
  • Your contact details including email address
  • To be over the age of 18